Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
AN: Hello, all. As the summary of this story states, I am participating in Round 8 of the Twilight 25 challenge. The challenge is to write 25 unrelated pieces of flash fiction (between 300-500 words) in a three-month period. I've set up a bit of a "theme" for myself, but it's a pretty loose one.
Corresponding photo prompts will be noted on each entry. Photos can be found at thetwilight25. com (just remove the space). Thank you all for reading!
The Twilight Twenty-Five
TheTwilight25 dot com
Prompt: #9
Penname: meliz875
Pairing/Character(s): Leah/Embry
Rating: K+
Word count: 486
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As the first drop of rain fell from a churning, darkening sky, her eyes found his across the short distance separating them.
The fading light made it hard to see his outline on the porch steps. Hands curling into fists at her sides, Leah pulled a deep breath into her lungs, thinking how appropriate the weather seemed. How it mirrored the day and everything that came with it.
She wasn't sure why she was there or what she would say to him. Only a few hours had passed since they put him in the ground - the man who had given Embry life and nothing else. The entire pack went to the funeral, and while the others watched the casket go into the dirt, Leah watched Embry.
She knew what it felt like, to lose a parent.
Still, her father had always been there. There had been no secrets, no uncertainty, and while their situations were far from the same, she felt like she should be there.
For Embry, should that be what he needed.
Because she still knew.
Releasing the air she held within, Leah finally allowed her feet to move. He looked down as she approached him. He didn't say a word as she ascended the steps, turning at the last minute. Refusing to question it as she swiftly sat next to him on the stairs.
She tried not to look, but being that close to him made it easier to see. It made it easier to tell there was another storm wreaking havoc, only it was one that didn't come with thunder. It didn't come with rain.
But still, it came. In the way his rigid frame felt next to hers. The way his hands trembled over his knees, years of rage and sadness and questions having nowhere else to go. The way he fought to catch his breath, the air leaving his lungs in rough, uneven gasps.
His body filled with questions that would never be answered.
A man losing a part of himself he possessed but never had a chance to discover.
It came, and she could feel it - could see him losing his grip, watching as everything that tore at his insides searched for a way out. Realizing time would be the only thing to heal it.
She didn't know what to say, but it didn't matter.
He didn't need words. Words were pointless, and she was never good at them anyway.
Taking another breath, she turned her gaze toward the trees. Watching as the heavens finally unleashed another kind of fury on the land surrounding them.
Refusing to question it as her hand reached out. As it covered his, closing her eyes and hoping it would be enough. Hearing a ragged breath leave his lungs when she felt large, warm fingers curl tightly around hers.
Leaving words out of it.
Letting him hang on, until the storm passed.
Review if you like. :)
